A report on the amazing country of Bahrain. It contains everything from History, Culture and Business Opportunity there.

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COUNTRY REPORT
ON
KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn
SUBMITTED BY:
ASTHA SAXENA
REG. NO: IBS/2018-20/PGDM-14
IIEBM, INDUS BUSINESS SCHOOL, PUNE – 57

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COUNTRY REPORT
ON
KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn
PREPARED BY-
ASTHA SAXENA
REG. NO: IBS/2018-20/PGDM/14

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PREFACE
This report is regarding my Country Report on the Kingdom of Bahrain small Arab
state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. It is an
archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and some 30 smaller islands. Its name is
from the Arabic term al-bahrayn, meaning “two seas.”
This report describes experience and learning I collected after researching about the
country.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I take this opportunity to convey sincere thanks and gratitude to all those who
directly or indirectly helped and contributed towards the completion of this report. I
take great opportunity to express my sincere and deep sense of gratitude to Dr. Jai
Singh Marwah, Managing Director Indus Business School (IIEBM), Pune. I would also
like to express my gratitude and thanks to Prof. Arathi Purohit for her guidance. I
would also like to express my gratitude to them for their constant support and
encouragement.
Astha Saxena

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Index
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT......................................................................................................4
Country Profile................................................................................................................. 9
History........................................................................................................................... 10
Time of Muhammad....................................................................................................... 12
Middle Ages................................................................................................................... 13
Early modern era ........................................................................................................... 13
19th century and later.................................................................................................... 15
Independence................................................................................................................ 17
Bahraini protests 2011–13.............................................................................................. 19
Geography..................................................................................................................... 20
Climate.......................................................................................................................... 21
Biodiversity.................................................................................................................... 21
Land .............................................................................................................................. 22
Relief and drainage........................................................................................................ 22
Climate.......................................................................................................................... 23
Plant and animal life ...................................................................................................... 23
Economy........................................................................................................................ 26
Agriculture and fishing................................................................................................... 27
Resources and power..................................................................................................... 27
Manufacturing............................................................................................................... 28
Finance.......................................................................................................................... 28
Trade............................................................................................................................. 28
Services......................................................................................................................... 29
Major International & Regional Organizations:............................................................... 29
Bilateral Relations.......................................................................................................... 32
Security Council:......................................................................................................... 32

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Asia(E/S/SE):.............................................................................................................. 32
Africa & Middle East:................................................................................................... 33
European Union:......................................................................................................... 33
Western (Non-EU):...................................................................................................... 33
Important Dates............................................................................................................. 34
Advertisement............................................................................................................... 35
Labour and taxation....................................................................................................... 35
Transportation and telecommunications ........................................................................ 35
Language & Culture........................................................................................................ 41
Costs.............................................................................................................................. 44
Food & Cuisines ............................................................................................................. 45
Constitutional monarchy................................................................................................ 46
Constitutional framework.............................................................................................. 46
Justice ........................................................................................................................... 47
Political process............................................................................................................. 47
Security......................................................................................................................... 47
Health and welfare......................................................................................................... 48
Housing......................................................................................................................... 48
Education ...................................................................................................................... 48
Notable People.............................................................................................................. 49
Photo Gallery................................................................................................................. 51
Bibliography.................................................................................................................. 52
Website:..................................................................................................................... 52
Magazines:................................................................................................................. 53
Books:........................................................................................................................ 53

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Bahrain - which name means "two seas" - was one of the first states in the Gulf to
discover oil and to build a refinery. It is an island country in the Persian Gulf.
The sovereign state comprises a small archipelago centred around Bahrain Island,
situated between the Qatar peninsula and the north eastern coast of Saudi Arabia,
to which it is connected by the 25-kilometre King Fahd Causeway. Bahrain's
population is 1,234,571 including 666,172 non-nationals. It is 765.3 square
kilometres in size, making it the third-smallest nation in Asia after
the Maldives and Singapore.
Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and
refining and has transformed itself into an international banking centre. The new
Amir, installed in 1999, has pushed economic and political reforms and has worked
to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In February 2001, Bahraini voters
approved a referendum on the National Action Charter - the centrepiece of the
Amir’s political liberalization program.
Bahrain is renowned for its verdant groves of date palms; since ancient times it has
been an entrepôt for trade and a source of natural resources for the surrounding
area. Bahrain Island is widely believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom
of Dilmun, a commercial centre that traded with ancient Sumer. It has been settled
and colonized by various groups, including the Khalīfah family (Āl Khalīfah), a native
Arab dynasty that has ruled Bahrain since the late 18th century. Recognizing the
islands’ strategic importance, the Khalīfah have opened Bahrain’s port facilities to
the naval fleets of foreign countries, including the United States.
Bahrain has history dating back 5000 years, from the ancient Dilmun period through
the Islamic era. The country offers three forts which have been meticulously
restored and opened to the public, although a lack of signs and general promotion
by the country's tourist industry sometimes makes finding these sites difficult.
Bahrain's biggest yearly event is the Bahrain Grand Prix F1 race, held each April at
the Bahrain International Circuit. Plan well in advance, as flights sell out and hotel
prices triple.

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The high temperatures in Bahrain make sea activities seemextra tempting and water
sports are extremely popular in Bahrain, with tourists and locals indulging in their
sport of choice all year round in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. Sailing and
scuba diving are particularly popular.
Although a desert country, Bahrain boasts an international 18-hole grass golf course,
which is about 15 minutes outside the capital, Manama. The par 72 championship
course features five lakes and is landscaped with hundreds of date palms and desert
plains.

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Country Profile
Anthem:
‫نشيد‬‫وطني‬
Bahrainona (Our Bahrain)
Capital Manama
Official languages Arabic
Religion Islam
Demonym(s) Bahraini
Government Unitary constitutional monarchy
King Hamad bin Isa AlKhalifa
Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Legislature National Assembly
Upper house Consultative Council
Lower house Council of Representatives
Independence Day 14 August1971
Kingdom of Bahrain 14 February 2002
Total Area 778.3 km2
2010 census 1,234,571[4]
Density 1,831.1/km2
GDP (PPP) $75.174 billion
Currency Bahraini dinar (BHD)
Time zone UTC+3 (AST)
Calling code +973
Website bahrain.bh

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History
1602-1783 - Persian rule.
1783 - Rule by sheikhs of the Khalifah family.
1861 - Britain assumes responsibility for the Bahrain's defence and foreign relations.
1913 - Britain and the Ottoman government sign a treaty recognising the
independence of Bahrain but the country remains under British administration.
1931 - The Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), a subsidiary of the Standard Oil
Company of California (Socal), discovers oil at Jabal al-Dukhan and production begins
the following year.
1970 - Iran under the shah renounces claims to Bahrain, but the successor Islamic
Republic of Iran does not recognise this renunciation.
1971 - Bahrain declares independence and signs a new treaty of friendship with
Britain. Sheikh Isa becomes the first Emir and the Council of State becomes a
cabinet.
2001 - February - Referendum on political reform; Bahrainis overwhelmingly back
proposals under which Bahrain would become constitutional monarchy with elected
lower chamber of parliament and independent judiciary.
2011 - Protesters gather in Manama, inspired by popular revolts that toppled rulers
in Tunisia and Egypt. Saudi troops take part in a crackdown.
Bahrain was home to Dilmun, an important Bronze Age trade centre
linking Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Bahrain was later ruled by
the Assyrians and Babylonians.

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From the sixth to third century BCE, Bahrain was part of the Achaemenid Empire. By
about 250 BCE, Parthia brought the Persian Gulf under its control and extended its
influence as far as Oman. The Parthians established garrisons along the southern
coast of the Persian Gulf to control trade routes.
During the classical era, Bahrain was referred to by the ancient Greeks as Tylos, the
centre of pearl trading, when the Greek admiral Nearchus serving under Alexander
the Great landed on Bahrain. Nearchus is believed to have been the first of
Alexander's commanders to visit the island, and he found a verdant land that was
part of a wide trading network; he recorded: "That on the island of Tylos, situated in
the Persian Gulf, are large plantations of cotton trees, from which are manufactured
clothes called sindones, of strongly differing degrees of value, some being costly,
others less expensive. The use of these is not confined to India, but extends to
Arabia." The Greek historian Theophrastus states that much of Bahrain was covered
by these cotton trees and that Bahrain was famous for exporting walking canes
engraved with emblems that were customarily carried in Babylon.
Alexander had planned to settle Greek colonists on Bahrain, and although it is not
clear that this happened on the scale he envisaged, Bahrain became very much part
of the Hellenised world: the language of the upper classes was Greek
(although Aramaic was in everyday use), while Zeus was worshipped in the form of
the Arabian sun-god Shams. Bahrain even became the site of Greek athletic contests.
The Greek historian Strabo believed the Phoenicians originate from
Bahrain. Herodotus also believed that the homeland of the Phoenicians was
Bahrain. This theory was accepted by the 19th-century German classicist Arnold
Heeren who said that: "In the Greek geographers, for instance, we read of two
islands, named Tyrus or Tylos, and Aradus, which boasted that they were the mother
country of the Phoenicians, and exhibited relics of Phoenician temples." The people
of Tyre in particular have long maintained Persian Gulf origins, and the similarity in
the words "Tylos" and "Tyre" has been commented upon. However, there is little
evidence of any human settlement at all on Bahrain during the time when such
migration had supposedly taken place.

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The name Tylos is thought to be a Hellenisation of the
Semitic Tilmun (from Dilmun). The term Tylos was commonly used for the islands
until Ptolemy's Geographiawhen the inhabitants are referred to as Thilouanoi. Some
place names in Bahrain go back to the Tylos era; for instance the name of Arad, a
residential suburb of Muharraq, is believed to originate from "Arados", the ancient
Greek name for Muharraq.
In the 3rd century, Ardashir I, the first ruler of the Sassanid dynasty, marched on
Oman and Bahrain, where he defeated Sanatruq the ruler of Bahrain. At this time,
Bahrain was known as Mishmahig (which in Middle-Persian/Pahlavi means "ewe-
fish").
Bahrain was also the site of worship of an ox deity called Awal. Worshipers built a
large statue to Awal in Muharraq, although it has now been lost. For many centuries
after Tylos, Bahrain was known as Awal. By the 5th century, Bahrain became a centre
for Nestorian Christianity, with the village Samahij as the seat of bishops. In 410,
according to the Oriental Syriac Church synodal records, a bishop named Batai was
excommunicated from the church in Bahrain. As a sect, the Nestorians were often
persecuted as heretics by the Byzantine Empire, but Bahrain was outside the
Empire's control, offering some safety. The names of several Muharraq villages today
reflect Bahrain's Christian legacy, with Al Dair meaning "the monastery".
Bahrain's pre-Islamic population consisted of Christian Arabs (mostly Abd al-Qays),
Persians (Zoroastrians), Jews, and Aramaic-speaking agriculturalists. According
to Robert Bertram Serjeant, the Baharna may be the Arabised "descendants of
converts from the original population of Christians (Aramaeans), Jews and Persians
inhabiting the island and cultivated coastal provinces of Eastern Arabia at the time of
the Muslim conquest". The sedentary people of pre-Islamic Bahrain were Aramaic
speakers and to some degree Persian speakers, while Syriac functioned as a liturgical
language.
Time of Muhammad
Muhammad's first interaction with the people of Bahrain was the Al Kudr Invasion.
Muhammad ordered a surprise attack on the Banu Salim tribe for allegedly plotting

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to attack Medina. He had received news that some tribes were assembling an army
on Bahrain and preparing to attack the mainland. But the tribesmen retreated when
they learned Muhammad was leading an army to do battle with them.
Traditional Islamic accounts state that Al-Ala'a Al-Hadrami was sent as an envoy
during the Expedition of Zayd ibn Harithah (Hisma) to the Bahrain region by the
prophet Muhammad in ad 628 and that Munzir ibn Sawa Al Tamimi, the local ruler,
responded to his mission and converted the entire area.
Middle Ages
In 899, the Qarmatians, a millenarian Ismaili Muslimsect, seized Bahrain, seeking to
create a utopian society based on reason and redistribution of property among
initiates. Thereafter, the Qarmatians demanded tribute from the caliph in Baghdad,
and in 930 sacked Mecca and Medina, bringing the sacred Black Stone back to their
base in Ahsa, in medieval Bahrain, for ransom. According to historian Al-Juwayni, the
stone was returned 22 years later in 951 under mysterious circumstances. Wrapped
in a sack, it was thrown into the Great Mosque of Kufa in Iraq, accompanied by a
note saying "By command we took it, and by command we have brought it back."
The theft and removal of the Black Stone caused it to break into seven pieces.
Following their 976 defeat by the Abbasids, the Qarmatians were overthrown by the
Arab Uyunid dynasty of al-Hasa, who took over the entire Bahrain region in
1076. The Uyunids controlled Bahrain until 1235, when the archipelago was briefly
occupied by the Persian ruler of Fars. In 1253, the Bedouin Usfurids brought down
the Uyunid dynasty, thereby gaining control over eastern Arabia, including the
islands of Bahrain. In 1330, the archipelago became a tributary state of the rulers
of Hormuz, though locally the islands were controlled by the Shi'ite Jarwanid dynasty
of Qatif. In the mid-15th century, the archipelago came under the rule of the Jabrids,
a Bedouin dynasty also based in Al-Ahsa that ruled most of eastern Arabia.
Early modern era
In 1521, the Portuguese Empire allied with Hormuz and seized Bahrain from
the Jabrid ruler Muqrin ibn Zamil, who was killed during the takeover. Portuguese

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rule lasted for around 80 years, during which time they depended mainly
on Sunni Persian governors. The Portuguese were expelled from the islands in 1602
by Abbas Iof the Safavid Empire, which gave impetus to Shia Islam. For the next two
centuries, Persian rulers retained control of the archipelago, interrupted by the 1717
and 1738 invasions of the Ibadis of Oman. During most of this period, they resorted
to governing Bahrain indirectly, either through the city of Bushehr or
through immigrant Sunni Arab clans. The latter were tribes returning to the Arabian
side of the Persian Gulf from Persian territories in the north who were known
as Huwala. In 1753, the Huwala clan of Nasr Al-Madhkur invaded Bahrain on behalf
of the Iranian Zand leader Karim Khan Zand and restored direct Iranian rule.
In 1783, Al-Madhkur lost the islands of Bahrain following his defeat by the Bani
Utbah tribe at the 1782 Battle of Zubarah. Bahrain was not new territory to the Bani
Utbah; they had been a presence there since the 17th century. During that time,
they started purchasing date palm gardens in Bahrain; a document shows that 81
years before arrival of the Al-Khalifa, one of the shaikhs of the Al Bin Ali tribe (an
offshoot of the Bani Utbah) had bought a palm garden from Mariam bint Ahmed Al
Sanadi in Sitra island.
The Al Bin Ali were the dominant group controlling the town of Zubarah on the Qatar
peninsula, originally the center of power of the Bani Utbah. After the Bani Utbah
gained control of Bahrain, the Al Bin Ali had a practically independent status there as
a self-governing tribe. They used a flag with four red and three white stripes, called
the Al-Sulami flag in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the Eastern province of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Later, different Arab family clans and tribes from Qatar
moved to Bahrain to settle after the fall of Nasr Al-Madhkur of Bushehr. These
families included the House of Khalifa, Al-Ma'awdah, Al-Fadhil, Al-Mannai, Al-
Noaimi, Al-Sulaiti, Al-Sadah, Al-Thawadi and other families and tribes.
The House of Khalifa moved from Qatar to Bahrain in 1799. Originally, their
ancestors were expelled from Umm Qasr in central Arabia by the Ottomans due to
their predatory habits of preying on caravans in Basra and trading ships in Shatt al-
Arab waterway until Turks expelled them to Kuwait in 1716, where they remained
until 1766.

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Around the 1760s, the Al Jalahma and House of Khalifa, both belonging to the Utub
Federation, migrated to Zubarah in modern-day Qatar, leaving Al Sabah as the sole
proprietors of Kuwait.
19th century and later
In the early 19th century, Bahrain was invaded by both the Omanis and the Al Sauds.
In 1802 it was governed by a 12-year-old child, when the Omani ruler Sayyid Sultan
installed his son, Salim, as governor in the Arad Fort. In 1816, the British political
resident in the Gulf, WilliamBruce, received a letter from the Sheikh of Bahrain who
was concerned about a rumour that Britain would support an attack on the island by
the Imam of Muscat. He sailed to Bahrain to reassure the Sheikh that this was not
the case and drew up an informal agreement assuring the Sheikh that Britain would
remain a neutral party.
In 1820, the Al Khalifa tribe were recognised by Great Britain as the rulers ("Al-
Hakim" in Arabic) of Bahrain after signing a treaty relationship. However, ten years
later they were forced to pay yearly tributes to Egypt despite seeking Persian and
British protection.
In 1860, the Al Khalifas used the same tactic when the British tried to overpower
Bahrain. Writing letters to the Persians and Ottomans, Al Khalifas agreed to place
Bahrain under the latter's protection in March due to offering better conditions.
Eventually the Government of British India overpowered Bahrain when the Persians
refused to protect it. Colonel Pelly signed a new treaty with Al Khalifas placing
Bahrain under British rule and protection.
Following the Qatari–Bahraini War in 1868, British representatives signed another
agreement with the Al Khalifas. It specified that the ruler could not dispose of any of
his territory except to the United Kingdom and could not enter into relationships
with any foreign government without British consent. In return the British promised
to protect Bahrain from all aggression by sea and to lend support in case of land
attack. More importantly the British promised to support the rule of the Al Khalifa in
Bahrain, securing its unstable position as rulers of the country. Other agreements in
1880 and 1892 sealed the protectorate status of Bahrain to the British.

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Unrest amongst the people of Bahrain began when Britain officially established
complete dominance over the territory in 1892. The first revolt and widespread
uprising took place in March 1895 against Sheikh Issa bin Ali, then ruler of
Bahrain. Sheikh Issa was the first of the Al Khalifa to rule without Persian
relations. Sir Arnold Wilson, Britain's representative in the Persian Gulf and author
of The Persian Gulf, arrived in Bahrain from Muscat at this time. The uprising
developed further with some protesters killed by British forces.
Before the development of petroleum, the island was largely devoted to pearl
fisheries and, as late as the 19th century, was considered to be the finest in the
world. In 1903, German explorer, Hermann Burchardt, visited Bahrain and took many
photographs of historical sites, including the old Qaṣr es-Sheikh, photos now stored
at the Ethnological Museum of Berlin. Prior to the First World War, there were about
400 vessels hunting pearls and an annual export of more than £30,000.
In 1911, a group of Bahraini merchants demanded restrictions on the British
influence in the country. The group's leaders were subsequently arrested and exiled
to India. In 1923, the British introduced administrative reforms and replaced Sheikh
Issa bin Ali with his son. Some clerical opponents and families such as al Dossari left
or were exiled to Saudi Arabia and Iran. Three years later the British placed the
country under the de facto rule of Charles Belgrave who operated as an adviser to
the ruler until 1957. Belgrave brought a number of reforms such as establishment of
the country's first modern school in 1919, the Persian Gulf's first girls' school in
1928 and the abolition of slavery in 1937. At the same time, the pearl diving industry
developed at a rapid pace.
In 1927, Rezā Shāh, then Shah of Iran, demanded sovereignty over Bahrain in a letter
to the League of Nations, a move that prompted Belgrave to undertake harsh
measures including encouraging conflicts between Shia and Sunni Muslims in order
to bring down the uprisings and limit the Iranian influence. Belgrave even went
further by suggesting to rename the Persian Gulf to the "Arabian Gulf"; however, the
proposal was refused by the British government. Britain's interest in Bahrain's
development was motivated by concerns over Saudi and Iranian ambitions in the
region.

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The Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), a subsidiary of the Standard Oil
Company of California (Socal), discovered oil in 1931 and production began the
following year. This was to bring rapid modernisation to Bahrain. Relations with the
United Kingdom became closer, as evidenced by the British Royal Navy moving its
entire Middle Eastern command from Bushehr in Iran to Bahrain in 1935.
In the early 1930s, Bahrain Airport was developed. Imperial Airways flew there,
including the Handley Page HP42 aircraft. Later in the same decade the Bahrain
Maritime Airport was established, for flying-boats and seaplanes.
Bahrain participated in the Second World War on the Allied side, joining on 10
September 1939. On 19 October 1940, four Italian SM.82s bombers bombed
Bahrainalongside Dhahran oilfields in Saudi Arabia, targeting Allied-operated oil
refineries. Although minimal damage was caused in both locations, the attack forced
the Allies to upgrade Bahrain's defences, an action which further stretched Allied
military resources.
After World War II, increasing anti-British sentiment spread throughout the Arab
World and led to riots in Bahrain. The riots focused on the Jewish community. In
1948, following rising hostilities and looting, most members of Bahrain's Jewish
community abandoned their properties and evacuated to Bombay, later settling
in Israel (Pardes Hanna-Karkur) and the United Kingdom. As of 2008, 37 Jews
remained in the country. In the 1950s, the National Union Committee, formed by
reformists following sectarian clashes, demanded an elected popular assembly,
removal of Belgrave and carried out a number of protests and general strikes. In
1965 a month-long uprising broke out after hundreds of workers at the Bahrain
Petroleum Company were laid off.
Independence
On 15 August 1971, though the Shah of Iran was claiming historical sovereignty over
Bahrain, he accepted a referendum held by the United Nations and eventually
Bahrain declared independence and signed a new treaty of friendship with the
United Kingdom. Bahrain joined the United Nations and the Arab League later in the
year. The oil boom of the 1970s benefited Bahrain greatly, although the subsequent

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downturn hurt the economy. The country had already begun diversification of its
economy and benefited further from the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s and 1980s,
when Bahrain replaced Beirut as the Middle East's financial hub after Lebanon's
large banking sector was driven out of the country by the war.
Following the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran in 1981, the Bahraini Shia population
orchestrated a failed coup attempt under the auspices of a front organisation,
the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain. The coup would have installed a Shia
cleric exiled in Iran, Hujjatu l-IslāmHādī al-Mudarrisī, as supreme leader heading
a theocratic government. In December 1994, a group of youths threw stones at
female runners for running bare-legged during an international marathon. The
resulting clash with police soon grew into civil unrest.
A popular uprising occurred between 1994 and 2000 in which leftists, liberals and
Islamists joined forces. The event resulted in approximately forty deaths and ended
after Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became the Emir of Bahrain in 1999. He instituted
elections for parliament, gave women the right to vote, and released all political
prisoners. A referendum on 14–15 February 2001 massively supported the National
Action Charter. As part of the adoption of the National Action Charter on 14
February 2002, Bahrain changed its formal name from the State (dawla) of Bahrain
to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The country participated in military action against the Taliban in October 2001 by
deploying a frigate in the Arabian Sea for rescue and humanitarian operations. As a
result, in November of that year, US president George W. Bush's administration
designated Bahrain as a "major non-NATO ally". Bahrain opposed the invasion of
Iraq and had offered Saddam Hussein asylumin the days prior to the
invasion. Relations improved with neighbouring Qatar after the border dispute over
the Hawar Islands was resolved by the International Court of Justice in The Hague in
2001. Following the political liberalisation of the country, Bahrain negotiated a free
trade agreement with the United States in 2004.

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Bahraini protests 2011–13
Inspired by the regional Arab Spring, Bahrain's Shia majority started large protests
against its Sunni rulers in early 2011.[110][111]:162–3 The government initially
allowed protests following a pre-dawn raid on protesters camped in Pearl
Roundabout.:73–4, 88 A month later it requested security assistance from Saudi
Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries and declared a three-month
state of emergency.:132–9 The government then launched a crackdown on the
opposition that included conducting thousands of arrests and systematic
torture. Almost daily clashes between protesters and security forces led to dozens of
deaths. Protests, sometimes staged by opposition parties, were ongoing. More than
80 civilians and 13 policemen have been killed as of March 2014. According
to Physicians for Human Rights, 34 of these deaths were related to government
usage of tear gas originally manufactured by U.S.-based Federal Laboratories. The
lack of coverage by Arab media in the Persian Gulf, as compared to other Arab
Spring uprisings, has sparked several controversies. Iran is alleged by United
States and others to have a hand in the arming of Bahraini militants.

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Geography
Bahrain is a generally flat and arid archipelago in the Persian Gulf. It consists of a low
desert plain rising gently to a low central escarpment with the highest point the
134 m (440 ft) Mountain of Smoke (Jabal ad Dukhan). Bahrain had a total area of
665 km2 (257 sq mi) but due to land reclamation, the area increased to
765 km2 (295 sq mi), which is slightly larger than Hamburg or the Isle of Man.
Often described as an archipelago of 33 islands, extensive land reclamation projects
have changed this; by August 2008 the number of islands and island groups had
increased to 84. Bahrain does not share a land boundary with another country but
does have a 161 km (100 mi) coastline. The country also claims a further 22 km
(12 nmi) of territorial sea and a 44 km (24 nmi) contiguous zone. Bahrain's largest
islands are Bahrain Island, the Hawar Islands, Muharraq Island, Umm an Nasan,
and Sitra. Bahrain has mild winters and very hot, humid summers. The country's
natural resources include large quantities of oil and natural gas as well as fish in the
offshore waters. Arable land constitutes only 2.82% of the total area.
About 92% of Bahrain is desert with periodic droughts and dust storms, the main
natural hazards for Bahrainis. Environmental issues facing Bahrain include
desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, coastal
degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil
spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, distribution stations,
and illegal land reclamation at places such as Tubli Bay. The agricultural and
domestic sectors' over-utilisation of the Dammam Aquifer, the principal aquifer in
Bahrain, has led to its salinisation by adjacent brackish and saline water bodies. A
hydrochemical study identified the locations of the sources of aquifer salinisation
and delineated their areas of influence. The investigation indicates that the aquifer
water quality is significantly modified as groundwater flows from the northwestern
parts of Bahrain, where the aquifer receives its water by lateral underflow from
eastern Saudi Arabia, to the southern and southeastern parts. Four types of

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salinisation of the aquifer are identified: brackish-water up-flow from the underlying
brackish-water zones in north-central, western, and eastern regions; seawater
intrusion in the eastern region; intrusion of sabkha water in the southwestern
region; and irrigation return flow in a local area in the western region. Four
alternatives for the management of groundwater quality that are available to the
water authorities in Bahrain are discussed and their priority areas are proposed,
based on the type and extent of each salinisation source, in addition to groundwater
use in that area.
Climate
The Zagros Mountains across the Persian Gulf in Iran cause low-level winds to be
directed toward Bahrain. Dust storms from Iraq and Saudi Arabia transported by
northwesterly winds, locally called shamalwind, causing reduced visibility in the
months of June and July.
Summers are very hot. The seas around Bahrain are very shallow, heating up quickly
in the summer to produce very high humidity, especially at night. Summer
temperatures may reach up to 50 °C (122 °F) under the right conditions.[135] Rainfall
in Bahrain is minimal and irregular. Rainfalls mostly occur in winter, with a recorded
maximum of 71.8 mm (2.83 in).
Biodiversity
The Hawar Islands Protected Area provides valuable feeding and breeding grounds
for a variety of migratory seabirds, it is an internationally recognised site for bird
migration. The breeding colony of Socotra cormorant on Hawar Islands is the largest
in the world, and the dugongs foraging around the archipelago form the second-
largest dugong aggregation after Australia.
Bahrain has five designated protected areas, four of which are marine
environments. They are:

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Al Areen Wildlife Park, which is a zoo and a breeding centre for endangered animals,
is the only protected area on land and also the only protected area which is
managed on a day-to-day basis.
Land
Bahrain’s total land area is slightly greater than that of Singapore. Saudi Arabia lies
to the west across the Gulf of Bahrain, while the Qatar peninsula lies to the east.
The King Fahd Causeway, 15 miles (24 km) long, links Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.
The state consists of two separate groups of islands, which together extend about 30
miles (50 km) from north to south and 10 miles (16 km) from east to west. The island
of Bahrainaccounts for seven-eighths of the country’s total land area and is
surrounded by smaller islands. Two of these—Al-Muḥarraq and Sitrah, both to the
northeast—are joined to Bahrain Island by causeways that
have facilitated residential and industrial development; other islands in the group
are Nabī Ṣāliḥ, Al-Muḥammadiyyah (Umm al-Ṣabbān), Umm al-Naʿsān (linked by the
King Fahd Causeway), and Jiddah. The second group consists of the Ḥawār Islands,
which are situated near the coast of Qatar, about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of
Bahrain Island; a dispute with Qatar over ownership of the islands was resolved in
2001, when the International Court of Justice awarded them to Bahrain. Small and
rocky, they are inhabited by only a few fishermen and quarry workers, but they are
believed to hold petroleum and natural gas reserves.
Relief and drainage
While the small islands in both groups are rocky and low-lying, rising only a few feet
above sea level, the main island is more varied in appearance. Geologically, the
island consists of gently folded layers of sedimentary rocks: limestones, sandstones,
and marls (loose clay, sand, or silt) formed during the Cretaceous, Paleogene, and
Neogene periods (i.e., from about 145 to 2.6 million years ago). The central region is
rocky and barren, rising to 440 feet (134 metres) above sea level at Al-Dukhān Hill

23. Page | 23
(Jabal Al-Dukhān), the country’s highest point. The southern and western lowlands
consist of a bleak sandy plain with some salt marshes, while the northern and north
western coasts afford a striking contrast, forming a narrow belt of date palms and
vegetable gardens irrigated from prolific springs and wells that tap artesian water.
The source of this water is precipitation on the western mountains of Saudi Arabia.
The abundance of fresh water has provided Bahrain with fertile land, from which it
gained importance historically as a harbour and trading centre in the Persian Gulf.
Economic developments and population growth have outstripped the available
artesian water in the country, and some three-fifths of the water used now comes
from seawater desalinization plants powered by natural gas.
Climate
Summer in Bahrain is unpleasant, as high temperatures frequently coincide with
high humidity. Midday temperatures from May to October exceed 90 °F (32 °C),
often reaching 95 °F (35 °C) or higher; summer nights are sultry and humid. Winters
are cooler and more pleasant, with mean temperatures from December to March
dipping to 70 °F (21 °C). Rainfall is confined to the winter months and averages only
3 inches (75 mm) per year, but this may vary from almost nothing to double that
amount. On average, rain falls only about 10 days a year. Sunshine is abundant year-
round. The predominant wind is the damp, northwesterly shamāl; the qaws, a hot,
dry south wind, is less frequent and brings sand, dust, and low humidity.
Plant and animal life
More than 330 species of birds were recorded in the Bahrain archipelago, 26 species
of which breed in the country. Millions of migratory birds pass through the Persian
Gulf region in the winter and autumn months. One globally endangered
species, Chlamydotis undulata, is a regular migrant in the autumn. The many islands
and shallow seas of Bahrain are globally important for the breeding of the Socotra
cormorant; up to 100,000 pairs of these birds were recorded over the Hawar islands.

24. Page | 24
Only 18 species of mammals are found in Bahrain, animals such as gazelles, desert
rabbits and hedgehogs are common in the wild but the Arabian oryx was hunted
to extinction on the island. Twenty-five species of amphibians and reptiles were
recorded as well as 21 species of butterflies and 307 species of flora.[138] The
marine biotopes are diverse and include extensive sea grass beds and mudflats,
patchy coral reefs as well as offshore islands. Sea grass beds are important foraging
grounds for some threatened species such as dugongs and the green turtle. In 2003,
Bahrain banned the capture of sea cows, marine turtles and dolphins within its
territorial waters.
Some 200 different species of desert plants grow in the bare, arid portions of the
archipelago, while the irrigated and cultivated areas of the islands support fruit
trees, fodder crops, and vegetables. The variety of animals is limited by the desert
conditions. Gazelle and hares are not yet extinct, and lizards and jerboas (desert
rodents) are common; the mongoose—probably imported from India—is found in
the irrigated areas. Birdlife is sparse except in spring and autumn, when many
varieties of migratory birds rest temporarily in Bahrain while traveling to and from
higher temperate latitudes.

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About the Country
Roughly half of the population is Arab, and most inhabitants are native-born
Bahrainis, but some are Palestinians, Omanis, or Saudis. Foreign-born
inhabitants, constituting about half of the population, are mostly
from Iran, India, Pakistan, Britain, and the United States. About three-fifths of
the labour force is foreign-born.
Arabic is the official language of Bahrain. English is widely used, however, and is a
compulsory second language at all schools. Persian is also common, although it is
spoken mostly in the home. A number of other languages are spoken among
expatriates in Bahrain, including Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog.
The population is predominately Muslim and includes both the Sunni and
the Shīʿite sects, with the latter in the majority. The ruling family and many of the
wealthier and more influential Bahrainis are Sunni, and this difference has been an
underlying cause of political and social tension. Christians constitute about half of
the remaining one-fifth of the population, with the rest consisting of Jews, Hindus,
and Bahāʾīs.
The majority of the population now dwells in towns, but in the north and northwest
of the main island, where irrigation has long been carried out using artesian water,
there are numerous small villages and isolated dwellings where horticulture is the
way of life. This area has an aspect of great fertility, which contrasts starkly with the
bare desert appearance of much of the country. Villages consist, for the most part, of
substantial flat-roofed houses built of stone or concrete. Some of the temporary
settlements of fishermen and the poor are still constructed of barasti (branches of
the date palm). There is little permanent settlement either in the southern half of
Bahrain Island or on the smaller islands.

26. Page | 26
More than one-third of the population lives in the two principal cities, Manama
and Al-Muḥarraq. Manama, with its port of Mīnāʾ Salmān, is the largest city and
contains the main government offices, the business and financial district, many
large hotels, Western-style shops, and a traditional Arab souk (market). It has a
distinctly modern appearance as compared with Al-Muḥarraq, which is densely
settled and has many narrow, winding streets. Other major settlements are ʿAwālī,
near the centre of Bahrain Island, built largely for expatriate employees of the
Bahrain Petroleum Company B.S.C. (Bapco); Madīnat ʿĪsā(Isa Town),
a community established by the government in 1968; the sizable settlements of Al-
Rifāʿ al-Shamālī (North Rifāʿ), Al-Rifāʿ al-Sharqī (East Rifāʿ), and Al-Rifāʿ al-Gharbī
(West Rifāʿ); and Madīnat Ḥamad, completed in 1984.
The population of Bahrain has been steadily growing, increasing almost 2 percent a
year. Birth rates are below average, but immigration rates are the sixth highest in
the world. About one-half of the population is foreign-born. Life expectancy is high,
males living on average to about 77 and females to 81. The death rate is well below
the world average, and the major causes of death are diseases of the circulatory
or respiratory system and cancer. About one-fifth of the population is under the age
of 15.
Economy
Though it was the first emirate where oil was discovered (1932), Bahrain will most
likely be the first to exhaust its reserves. Consequently, Bahrain has developed one
of the most diversified economies in the Persian Gulf region. Bahrain’s economic
activity, like that of other Arab states in the Persian Gulf, has largely centred on the
production of crude oil and natural gas and on refining petroleum products, making
the country sensitive to fluctuations in the world oil market. Bahrain has built on its
long tradition of shipping and commerce, however, and has been more successful
than some other states in the gulf in developing manufacturing and commercial and
financial services. The non-oil sector includes petrochemicals, ship repair, aluminum

27. Page | 27
refining, and light manufacturing. The government-owned Aluminum Bahrain B.S.C.
(Alba), one of the world’s largest aluminum smelters, and Bapco have been
profitable, but this has provided less incentive for privatization. Bahrain has
remained the most important commercial and financial centre in the gulf, although it
has faced growing competition from the United Arab Emirates.
Agriculture and fishing
Less than 3 percent of Bahrain is arable, and agriculture contributes only a marginal
proportion of the gross national product. The majority of Bahrain’s food is imported,
but agricultural production meets some local needs, including a large portion of
vegetables and dairy products. Tomatoes, dates, bananas, citrus fruits, mangoes,
pomegranates, and alfalfa (lucerne) are among the main crops. Cattle breeding
and poultry farming are also encouraged by the government, while camels and
horses are bred for racing. The increasingly polluted waters of the gulf, mainly
caused by spillages fromKuwaiti oil installations during the Persian Gulf War, have
killed off economically valuable marine life (notably shrimp) that were important to
the fishing industry. Fisheries have remained largely unexploited despite some
government attempts to privatize and modernize the industry.
Resources and power
Bahrain’s oil production has always been small by Middle Eastern standards, and
refining crude oil imported from Saudi Arabia has been of much greater importance
since vast oil fields were discovered on the mainland; in 1998 Bapco began a major
modernization project for its refinery. Bahrain’s only oil field, Al-Baḥrayn (also known
as Awali), is rapidly depleting. Several oil companies, however, have been granted
exploration rights by the government. The country’s offshore natural gas supplies
are somewhat more substantial. Petroleum and natural gas resources and
production are nationalized, but in the 1990s the government began encouraging
foreign investment in the sector.

28. Page | 28
Manufacturing
The traditional industries of Bahrain were building dhows (lateen-rigged sailing
vessels), fishing, pearling, and the manufacture of reed mats. These activities are
now carried out on only a small scale.
Ship repair is handled at Mīnāʾ Salmān, near Manama, and at a large yard operated
on Al-ʿAzl Island. Light industries include the production of building materials,
furniture, soft drinks, plastics, and a wide range of consumer goods. The government
has a significant financial stake in all these modern industries. In addition to the
aluminum smelter operated by Alba, an aluminum rolling mill was opened in 1986
that manufactures such products as door and window frames.
Finance
The government has encouraged the growth of banking, insurance, and other
financial services, and consequently Bahrain has become an important financial
centre, notably of offshore banking. These activities have increasingly contributed to
the country’s balance of payments. Bahrain has also been able to benefit from its
long tradition as a commercial centre. The country’s central bank is the
Bahrain Monetary Agency, which also issues the Bahraini dinar, the national
currency. In addition to offshore banking units, there are local and foreign
commercial banks, as well as investment banks. The Bahrain Stock Exchange opened
in 1989.
Trade
Bahrain’s main import is the crude petroleum brought in by underwater pipeline
from Saudi Arabia to be refined. Other major imports are machinery, food, and
chemicals. The primary exports are refined petroleum products and aluminum

29. Page | 29
goods. Saudi Arabia is the principal trading partner, and the United States
and Japan are also important.
Services
Services, including public administration, defense, and retail sales, employ some
three-fifths of Bahrain’s workforce and also account for about three-fifths of
the gross domestic product (GDP). The service sector, particularly tourism, is the
fastest growing area of the economy.
MajorInternational & Regional Organizations:
ABEDA: Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa
AFESD: Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development
AMF: Arab Monetary Fund
CAEU: Council of Arab Economic Unity
CICA: Conference of Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia
GCC: Gulf Cooperation Council
ICC: International Chamber of Commerce
ICRM: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
IDB: Islamic Development Bank

30. Page | 30
IFRCS: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
IHO: International Hydrographic Organization
IMSO: International Mobile Satellite Organization
Interpol: International Criminal Police Organization
IOC: International Olympic Committee
IOM: International Organization for Migration
IPU: Inter-Parliamentary Union
ISO: International Organization for Standardization
ITSO: International Telecommunications Satellite Organization
ITUC: International Trade Union Confederation
LAS/AL: League of Arab States, aka Arab League
OAPEC: Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries
OIC: Organization of Islamic Cooperation
PCA: Permanent Court of Arbitration
WCO: World Customs Organization
WFTU: World Federation of Trade Unions

31. Page | 31
UN Specialized Agencies & Organizations:
CTBTO: Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency
IBRD: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization
ICSID: International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
IFC: International Finance Corporation
ILO: International Labor Organization
IMF: International Monetary Fund
IMO: International Maritime Organization
ITU: International Telecommunications Union
MIGA: Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
OPCW: Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNIDO: United Nations Industrial Development Organization

32. Page | 32
UNWTO: United Nations World Tourism Organization
UPU: Universal Postal Union
WBG: World Bank Group
WHO: World Health Organization
WIPO: World Intellectual Property Organization
WMO: World Meteorological Organization
WTO: World Trade Organization
Bilateral Relations
Security Council:
U.S. Department of State Fact Sheets: US-Bahrain Bilateral Relations
U.K. Gov.UK Worldwide Activities: UK-Bahrain Bilateral Relations
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development: France-Bahrain
Bilateral Relations
P.R. of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs: China-Bahrain Bilateral Relations
Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs: News, Statements, Speeches and
Documents
Asia (E/S/SE):
Japan-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

33. Page | 33
South Korea-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs
India-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Government of India Ministry of External Affairs
Briefs
Vietnam-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Viet Nam Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Africa & Middle East:
Turkey-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Armenia-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Armenia
Egypt-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Arab Republic of Egypt Ministry of Foreign Affairs
South Africa-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: South Africa International Relations &
Cooperation
European Union:
EU-Bahrain Relations: E.U. External Action, European Union Around the Globe
Germany-Bahrain Relations: Federal Foreign Office of Germany
Netherlands-Bahrain Relations: Government of the Netherlands International
Relations
Finland-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Greece-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Western (Non-EU):
Canada-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Government of Canada International Gateway,
Offices & Embassies
Australia-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade Country Briefs
New Zealand-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Trade
Switzerland-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Swiss Confederation Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs
Monaco-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Principauté de Monaco, Monaco Worldwide

34. Page | 34
Important Dates
Date English name Description
1 January New Year's Day The Gregorian New Year's Day.
1 May LabourDay Locally called "Eid Al Oumal" (Workers' Day).
16 December NationalDay NationalDay of Bahrain.
17 December Accession Day Accession Day for the late Amir Sh. Isa Bin Salman Al
Khalifa
1st Muharram Islamic New
Year
Islamic New Year (also knownas: Hijri New Year).
9th,
10th Muharram
Day of Ashura Represented onthe 9thand 10thday of the Hijri
monthof Muharram. Coincidedwith the memory of
the martyrdom ofImam Hussein.
12th Rabiul Awwal Prophet
Muhammad's
birthday
Commemorates ProphetMuhammad'sbirthday,
celebrated in mostpartsof the Muslimworld.
1st, 2nd, and3rd Little Feast Commemoratestheend of Ramadan.
9th Zulhijjah Arafat Day CommemorationofMuhammad'sfinalsermon and
completionof the messageof Islam.
10th, 11th, 12th,
and 13th Zulhijjah
Feast of the
Sacrifice
Commemorates Ibrahim'swillingnessto sacrifice his
son. Also knownas the Big Feast(celebrated from the
10thto13th).

35. Page | 35
Advertisement
Tourism is actively promoted by the government, and, with its balmy climate and
scenic location, the country is a growing tourist destination. Travelers from other,
more conservative Persian Gulf countries—who comprise the largest number of
visitors—are attracted to Bahrain’s more liberal society. Visitors from outside the
region come for the country’s climate and to experience its unique cultural wealth.
Labour and taxation
The majority of the workforce is men, with women constituting about one-fifth of
the total. Women, however, are encouraged to work by the government, especially
as a means of increasing indigenous employment. Beginning in the 1970s, non-
Bahrainis have compriseda large portion of the country’s workforce; by the end of
the 20th century, two-thirds of those working were foreigners. There are no unions
in Bahrain, which, although legal, are discouraged by the government. The standard
work week is Saturday through Wednesday.
Bahrain has no individual income tax, and its only corporate tax is levied on oil,
petroleum, and gas companies. Taxes account for less than one-third of the
country’s revenue.
Transportation and telecommunications
Bahrain Island has an excellent systemof paved roads, and its causeway connections
to Al-Muḥarraq and Sitrah islands and to Saudi Arabia facilitate travel. There are no
railroads, but the principal towns and villages are well served by bus and taxi
services; a large proportion of residents also own motor vehicles. Bahrain

36. Page | 36
International Airport on Al-Muḥarraq Island is one of the busiest airports in
the Middle East and is served by most major international airlines. Manama is the
headquarters of Gulf Air, owned by the governments of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and
the United Arab Emirates. Steamers run scheduled service from Bahrain to other gulf
ports and to Pakistan and India.
Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco), established in 1981, serves the
country’s telephone, wireless telephone, data communications, and Internet needs,
either directly or through its subsidiaries. Through Batelco, Bahrain has promoted
itself as a regional telecommunications centre, connecting the countries of the gulf
region with the broader world. In 1998 Batelco opened an underwater fibre-optic
cable network linking Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Note that you can pay for the Visa on Arrival using Visa / MasterCard / American
Express at the desk, so there is no need to use the Travelex counter to exchange
money which gives the usual poor airport rates. There are no ATMs available.
You may find that the customs staff will take your passport off you and ask you to sit
down in the waiting area (just before customs) while they prepare your visa. Do not
worry about this as the process will take around fifteen minutes before the officer
comes back and calls you to approach the desk. You will then be asked which visa
you require and they will print you off a receipt, stamp your passport and then
you're through.
Bahrain International Airport (IATA: BAH), in Muharraq just east of Manama, is the
main base for Gulf Air and has excellent connections from the Middle East, the
Indian subcontinent and North & East Africa, in addition to longer-distance services
from Amsterdam, Athens, Bangkok, Frankfurt, London, Manila, Moscow and Paris.
The airport has good duty-free shopping for those awaiting flights. Many residents of
eastern Saudi Arabia choose to fly out via Bahrain, and Gulf Air offers shuttle services
to Khobar and Dammamto cater to this market; inquire when booking.
The low cost carrier Air Arabia offers daily flights from the Sharjah Airport (IATA: SHJ)
north of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

37. Page | 37
The Saudi-Bahraini Transport Company (SABTCO) [2], tel. +973-17252959, runs eight
buses daily from the SAPTCO bus station in Dammam via Khobar in Saudi Arabia,
across the King Fahd Causeway, to the bus terminal next to the Lulu Centre in
central Manama.
The service uses aircon minibuses with a trailer for luggage. Tickets cost SR60 (SR50
when you buy two-way) and can be purchased in advance, although they'll squeeze
you in without a reservation if there is space. As crossing the Causeway involves two
passport checks and one customs checks, figure on 2 hours for the trip, plus any
traffic delays at busy times like Thursday evenings. At congested times, buses may
actually be slightly faster than private cars, as they can use separate lanes at
immigration and customs.
The 26-km King Fahd Causeway connects Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The border post
is on an island in the middle of the causeway. The causeway has a toll for entering on
each side: 2.5 BD from Bahrain and 25 SAR from Saudi. There are no tolls leaving the
causeway. If you have Saudi residency (Iqama), there is no charge for the Bahrain
immigration visa stamp, but if you are a visitor to Saudi (e.g. business visa), then it
will cost you 15BD/150SAR, the same as at Bahrain airport.
SABTCO's Bahrain Limo taxis, which seat up to four, can take you across for prices
starting from BD30/SR300. Tolls are usually included in taxi and limo fares.
Rental vehicles cannot usually be taken through the border. To cross in a Saudi rental
car, you need extra paperwork and insurance from the rental company, Saudi
residency (Iqama) and a Saudi driving license (not just a home country license). If the
car is booked to a company account, you also need a letter from your company (or
standing arrangement with the rental company if it is a regular request).
Unofficial taxis (private cars) can be found hanging around bus stations at both ends,
Dammam train station, and on the Saudi side of the causeway border post. The
going rate from the Saudi side of the border to Manama is 25 BHD/250 SAR, but you
may be able to negotiate this down when there are no queues at the border (i.e. a
quick turnaround for the driver). Take the mobile number of the driver to arrange
pick-up and shuttle back through the border for your return.

38. Page | 38
If you don't have the right paperwork for your Saudi car, or rental car, you can drive
to the border, park it up for the duration of your visit to Bahrain, then take an
unofficial taxi across the border. Parking on the island is free, but there are very few
legal spaces, and they are always occupied, so you will probably have to find a safe
illegal space and hope you won't get fined or towed. Note that the small car park on
the north side of the main road, near the exit from Bahrain, is actually the border
guard employee car park, so be very careful if you park there. One hint is to find an
unofficial taxi driver before you park (they will often walk up to your car if you are
cruising for a space). Then follow the driver, wait for him to move his car, then park
in his space. When he brings you back after your trip to Bahrain, he can park back in
the same space. Yes, parking spaces are that valuable.
You cannot walk across the border on the King Fahd Causeway, you have to be in a
vehicle. So you cannot take a Saudi taxi to the border, walk through, then take a
Bahraini taxi from the other side.
Obviously this is a ridiculous situation, as it means (unofficial) taxi drivers have to
queue to cross the border in both directions, just to pick up a one-way fare. It would
be much more efficient for everyone if they had pick-up and drop-off places on both
sides, and let people walk through the immigration and customs facilities already
provided for bus passengers, who have to leave the bus and enter the buildings to be
processed.
You can take unofficial taxis through the border (see above). For example, from the
Saudi side, get any regular taxi to take you to the causeway (you will pay an extra 20
SAR for the toll). Then find an unofficial taxi to take you through the border and on
to Bahrain.
The Valfajre-8 ferry to and from Iran has been cancelled.
Bahrain is NOT a good place to be taking taxis due to their very high rates and their
general lack of availability. Recommended is to rent a car. Even when taxis use the
meter, a 10 minute ride can cost around 20-25 USD. With the sparse availability of
taxis, you may need to pay your taxi to wait for you at your destination and then

39. Page | 39
drive you home. This means a $40 dinner may cost you over $100 including the
needed taxi service.
The official rates start at ($2.65) BD 1.000 plus 0.200 Fils per kilometer. In practice,
though, meters will be "broken", covered, missing or just ignored. Check the meter is
working before you start driving. If it is not working, it is recommended to stop, get
out and find another taxi. Otherwise you must haggle and agree on a fare.
However, a new agreement have been reached between the government and taxis
representatives on August 2008; and a growing majority of taxis now use their
meters. Rates vary from 3 to 5 dinars for a ride within Manama / Juffair.
Taxis in Bahrain are not like the U.A.E. where they are regulated and will never rip
you off. Sadly you name the scamand you will find 'most' of the taxi drivers you hail
from a rank or on the street will try it. The meter will be hidden under a prayer hat, a
box of tissues, a towel or cloth. The meters are in all official taxis and mounted on
top of the dashboard. There are other taxis which are generally white pickup trucks
with 'taxi' stickers on the side but these do not have meters and you will have to
negotiate a fare.
There is a surcharge of BD 1.000 if you get a taxi outside a hotel. If you catch a cab
from another location, or flag down a taxi while walking, make sure the extra BD 1
fee is not already on the meter (right hand display is the fixed surcharge). For
example, if you pick up a taxi at a hotel around the souk area, you will pay BD 1.000
surcharge, but if you go to the taxi rank at the Bab Al Bahrain, you will not. A short
walk can save you money. You really need to watch the meter like a hawk, check it
starts at zero and no extras are added and watch out for the driver pressing buttons
on it whilst distracting you during the ride. Do not accept a BD 1.000 charge for
'waiting at a rank' that is not a hotel one or another BD 1.000 charge for dropping
you at a hotel!. You will find stickers in the front on the window advising you of any
extras, there is also a further charge if you exceed a certain distance.
The airport gives guidelines as to the official way of calculating taxi fares. Notice that
an extra BD 2.000 will be added if you take a taxi waiting at the airport.

40. Page | 40
On the whole some taxis offer a good service but you do encounter a lot of bandits.
Be aware when traveling from the airport to always use the white with red roof or
London style taxis. Also there is a rule if the meter is not used there is no charge;
hold your ground on this and call the police, and the driver will cooperate very
quickly with the correct fare for the trip. A common tactic used by the taxi drivers is
to claim they don't have any change or try to give you change in Saudi Riyals. They
will insist the Riyals are worth the same as the Bahraini Dinar or the American Dollar
when in fact they are closer to .25 American.
Finding a taxi can be difficult, although major hotels and malls usually have a few
waiting outside so be careful if you leave Manama center. Some privately owned
companies operate in the kingdom and you can download their apps for your smart
phones. These are easy to use and you select a pickup and drop off point then you
will be notified who your driver is, their car type, registration and then you track
them online. When you have been dropped off you will receive a email receipt of
your fare including details. The most popular of which are:-
Speedy Motor Service Radio-Meter Taxis SMS Radio-Meter Taxi is the oldest & most
popular radio-meter taxi company in the Kingdom, and the most reliable. Advance
booking of taxi is possible, and they operate a 24-hour service, 365 days a year.
Bahrain Taxi Online Get meter taxi online within 10 minutes.
Bahrain Limo is the newly established Radio Meter Taxi Company in the Kingdom of
Bahrain and the sister company of the transport giant "Saudi Bahraini Transport
Company" (SABTCO) which provides luxurious bus and limousine services across the
King Fahad Causeway.
Uber service is available. Often the Uber driver will show up in a regular taxi and
typically costs about 1/3 of the normal taxi rates. Since it's an electronic transaction
it can be easier than handling the local currency. Make sure the driver doesn't turn
off the Uber Application and try to charge you the higher metered rate.

41. Page | 41
Bahrain Taxi Group[5] A large number of Bahraini taxi drivers with experience and
professionalismcan be relied upon as tour guides to their country, located in all
cities and tourist facilities of hotels, resorts, commercial complexes and others
If planning on visiting several sites, consider renting a car. Prices range from 10-20
dinar per day, but allow you freedom to drive around the island.
If arriving by the bus at the Lulu centre parking, simply turn your back from the
centre's entrance, walk out of the parking, and you'll find car rentals in the group of
buildings across the road. A map or a GPS is strongly advised, as road signs can be
scarce.
Local road signs are based on the standard used in the United Kingdom, and virtually
all are bilingual in Arabic and English.
Language & Culture
Arabic is the official language. Bahraini Arabic is the most widely spoken dialect of
the Arabic language, though this differs slightly from standard Arabic.
English is widely spoken by Bahrainis of all ages, and is a compulsory second
language at all schools.
Among the Bahraini and non-Bahraini population, many people also
speak Persian or Urdu. Nepali is also widely spoken in the Nepalese workers and
Gurkha Soldiers community. Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi are spoken among
significant Indian communities.
The Qala'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) is located off the northern shore and is a five to
ten minute drive away from Manama city, in Karbabad. It is restored and in good
condition although it lacks furniture, signage, or exhibits. Admission is free and open
daily 8am-6pm.
Next door to the fort is a museum, completed in February 2008, which contains
many artifacts ranging from the ancient Dilmun periods through the Islamic era,
many of which were found at the fort and additional ruins next door. The museum is

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a large rectangular and white building with absolutely no signs to indicate that it is a
museum. The hours are 8AM-8PM Tues-Sun; admission is 2 dinar.
Bahrain has three other small forts. Abu Mahir Fort is located in Muharraq and is
also known as Muharraq Fort. It was built on the foundations of much old fort and
was positioned to protect the western approaches.
Also on Muharraq is Arad Fort. Dating from the 16th century, this fort was built by
the Arabs - before being captured by the Portuguese in 1559. It was then recaptured
by the Omanis in 1635. It has been restored and now hosts cultural events. Open
Sun-Wed 7am-2pm, Thurs & Sat 9am-6pm.
The Sheikh Salman bin Ahmad Al Fateh Fort is located in Riffa, overlooking the
Hunanaiya Valley in the centre of the island. Open Sun-Wed 8am-2pm, Thur & Sat
9am-6pm, Fri 3pm-6pm.
Museums. Bahrain has a number of musueums - Al Oraifi Museum in Muharraq
(Dilmun era artifacts), Beit al Quran in Hoora (rare collection of Islamic
manuscripts), Bahrain National Museum on the Al Fateh Corniche,
Manama, Currency Museum in the Diplomatic Area (Bahraini coinage) and the Oil
Museum in Sakhir (history of the local oil industry). For example, this museum
exhibits how to get oil in Bahrain and so on.
Beaches. The year-round warm climate means that the water is very warm, even in
wintertime, when cooler temperatures may occur. The water is known for being very
calm and clear.
Tree of Life. Although trees grow in Bahrain, this one is special because of its location
in the middle of the desert amidst the oil wells and other infrastructure of the
petroleum industry. You need a car to reach the tree, as it is far from the main roads
and not on any public transportation route.
To reach the tree, take the Zallaq Highway heading east, which becomes the Al-
Muaskar Highway. You will eventually see a sign for the Tree of Life indicating a right
turn. (Although the sign seems to point you to turn onto a dirt road which actually
goes nowhere, do not do so, instead wait until the next intersection which is several

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metres ahead). There are no signs as you travel down this road, but pay attention to
a scrap metal yard on your right. Before you reach a hill which warns you of a steep
10% incline, take a right. As you continue straight down this road (including
roundabouts), you will begin to see Tree of Life signs again. The signs will lead you
down a road which will then be devoid of these signs, but you will eventually see the
tree in the distance on the right (it is large and wide, not to be mistaken for other
smaller trees along the way). You turn onto a dirt path at Gas Well #371. You can
drive up to just outside of the tree, but make sure you stay on the vehicle-worn path,
as turning off of it is likely to get your car stuck in the softer sand.
Although it seems like a chore to reach, the Tree of Life is worth the visit for the
oddity of it. The tree is covered in graffiti, although this is not visible until you get up
close. Try to make your arrival near sunset for a picturesque view of the tree and the
surrounding desert.
[Update 2011] There is also a (new ?) much higher quality road. As of early 2014,
construction is underway for a concrete wall and path around the tree. There is
some basic background information within the completed sections of the wall.
Bahrain also has a set of remarkable prehistoric burial grounds. These extensive
sites, often densely covered by burial mounds, can be found at A'ali (the biggest
prehistoric cemetery in the world), Al Hajar, Buri, Hamad
Town, Jannusan, Sa'ar, Shakhoora and Tylos.
There are a number of famous houses which can also be visited. Al Jasra House is
located in Al Jasra village and was built by the late Amir, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al
Khalifa in 1933. It is an excellent example of Bahraini architecture. Bin Matar
House is located on Muharraq island. It was constructed in 1905 by a successful pearl
merchant, Salman bin Hussein Matar. It was subsequently used as a majlis. Several
famous houses in Muharraq are being included in a recently approved UNESCO
world heritage site, the Pearling Trail. The trail appears to be under construction at
this point, and no official maps are readily available.

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Costs
The currency in Bahrain is the Bahraini dinar (BD), which is divided into 1000 fils. One
dinar is worth nearly three US dollars (US$2.65, to be precise, as the exchange rate is
not fixed), making this one of the world's strongest currencies, and this can get some
getting used to: that seemingly cheap ten-dinar taxi ride is in fact almost $27 and
thus an extortionate rip-off!
The dinar is a fully convertible currency, and there are currently no restrictions on its
import or export. Denominations for coins are 5 fils, 10 fils, 25 fils, 50 fils and 100 fils.
Denominations for banknotes are 500 fils (BD 1/2), BD 1, BD 5, BD 10 and BD 20.
The dinar is pegged to the Saudi riyal at 1:10, and riyals are accepted almost
everywhere at that rate, although odds are you'll get your change in dinars and
hotels may try to screw you out of a few percent. If coming in from Saudi, there's no
reason to change your money, but do try to get rid of any excess dinars before you
leave the country, as they're hard to exchange elsewhere, even in Saudi.
Like most Gulf countries, Bahrain is not cheap. A decent dinner can cost between BD
5 to BD 40, and car rental at BD 7-20/day is reasonable, hotel prices vary and
depends on your budget: a perfectly ordinary room in a "good" hotel ranges
between BD 22 and BD 260 based on 4 and 5 star hotels. However during the annual
F1 race at the beginning of April and Bahrain Air show hotels will increase their rates.
There are several malls in Bahrain that offer international and luxury labels shops
and boutiques, supermarkets and so forth, as well as food courts, contemporary and
traditional cafes, play areas and arcades, cinemas (3D & 2D) and even an in-door
water park. I recommend Bahrain city centre and seef mall. You can Moda mall for
luxurious brands and restaurants.
A visit to the local souq (sook) is a must. There you can negotiate the price on simple
cloths, Bahrain's famous gold, and many other gifts. The souq is also home to many
excellent tailors. If you're there for long enough (say a week) then you can take a

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favourite clothing item in and they will "clone" it precisely in any material you select
from the huge range available.
Food & Cuisines
Bahrain has an impressive dining scene, with numerous restaurants to choose from.
The main dining area is Adliya. In Adliya, you can take your pick among numerous
cafes, with Coco's (very well priced and delicious food) and Lilou's among the most
famous. Mirai is an incredible Japanese Fusion restaurant perfect for a special
occasion. If the weather is cold from December-February other events are held in
Adliya like food festival and Block 338.
Restaurants in Bahrain run the gamut for cheap stalls offering local food to fancy
restaurants in fancy hotels. The most famous local fast food is Jasmi's (Must try).
American fast food franchises such as Burger King and McDonald's are available, as
well as Texas Chicken. Western (mostly American) style-foods and franchises can be
found around the malls and in the city centre, offering food for upper mid-range
prices. Common fast food like KFC, McDonald's, Papa johns, Dairy queen, etc. can be
found in the streets in every city and town. Beside to other local shawarma, Flafel,
Burgers that have its special taste. Some restaurants are located in not in Manama
but in other places. Café Italia is an Italian food restaurant in Adliya. Prices of dishes
are reasonable, so there are many repeat customers. Lanna Thai is a Thai food
restaurant in Budaiya. Fried rice is especially delicious. There are also a Japanese
food restaurant called Kei in Diplomat Area.
Under Bahraini law, any sign of having consumed alcohol may be taken as prima
facie evidence of driving under the influence, which can lead to imprisonment
and/or fines of up to BD 1,000.
However, alcohol is legally sold in various restaurants (in certain areas), hotels, bars,
and nightclubs.

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Constitutional monarchy
Knowninancienttimesas Dilmun,Bahrainwasan importantcenterof trade by the 3rd
millenniumB.C. The islandswere ruledbythe Persiansinthe 4thcentury A.D.,and thenby
Arabsuntil 1541, whenthe Portuguese invadedthem.PersiaagainclaimedBahrainin1602.
In 1783 Ahmad ibnal-Khalifahtookover,andthe al-Khalifahsremainthe rulingfamilytoday.
Bahrainbecame a Britishprotectorate in1820. It didnot gainfull independence untilAug.
14, 1971.
Althoughoil wasdiscoveredinBahraininthe 1930s, it wasrelatively littlecomparedtoother
Gulf states,and the wellsare expectedtobe the firstinthe regionto dry up.SheikIsaibn
Sulmanal-Khalifah,whobecame emirin1961, wasdeterminedtodiversifyhiscountry's
economy,andhe setabout establishingBahrainas a majorfinancial center.The country
providesitspeoplewithfree medical care,education,andold-age pensions.
Conflictsbetweenthe Shiite andSunni Muslimsare a recurringprobleminBahrain.The
Sunni minority,towhichthe rulingal-Khalifahfamilybelongs,controlsnearlyall the power
and wealthinthe country.the Shiitescontinuetoagitate formore representationin
government,andminorviolentclasheshave ledtoabouttwodozendeathssince 1994.
Constitutional framework
Since the 18th century, the head of the Āl Khalīfah, the country’s ruling family, has
taken the title emir. A constitution promulgated in 2002 established Bahrain as
a constitutionalhereditary monarchy whose head of state is now titled king. Under
the new constitution the executive is composed of a prime minister, who is head of
government, and a Council of Ministers, all of whom are appointed by the king. The
legislative branch consists of two houses: a 40-member Consultative Council that is
also appointed by the king and a 40-member Chamber of Deputies that is elected by
universal adult suffrage. The voting age is 20 years. Members of both deliberative
bodies serve terms of four years. Women, in addition to voting, may stand for local
and national elections. An earlier constitution (1973) created a National

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Assembly composed of appointed members and others elected by popular vote, but
after a period of labour unrest and political agitation the assembly was dissolved by
the emir in 1975. Public representation thereupon reverted to the traditional Arab
and Islamic systemof a majlis (council), through which citizens and other residents
presented petitions directly to the emir. In 1993 the emir created the Consultative
Council, to which the first women were appointed in 2000.
Justice
Bahrain’s legal systemis based on Islamic law (Sharīʿah) and English common law.
The highest court in the country is the High Civil Appeals Court, and there are
separate courts for members of Sunni and Shīʿite sects. When the royal family faced
growing unrest in the 1990s from protesters, predominantly Shīʿite Muslims calling
for a restoration of the constitution, a special court was established to prosecute
dissenters.
Political process
In light of the political unrest of the 1990s, Ḥamad ibn ʿĪsā Āl Khalīfah, after
succeeding his father to the throne in 1999, promised political reforms. In 2001 a
national referendum approved a new document, the National Action Charter (NAC),
and the new constitution appeared the following year.
Security
Participation in the military is voluntary, and males can enter service at age 15. The
country maintains a large military and police force relative to its population, but it is
one of the smallest in the region. In 1991, following the Persian Gulf War, Bahrain
signed a defense cooperation agreement with the United States. Bahrain is the
headquarters for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. The United Kingdom maintains a small
military presence.

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Health and welfare
Medical care is extensive and free, and there is provision for most forms of social
security: pensions, sick pay, compensation for industrial injury, unemployment
benefits, and maternity and family allowance payments. The government also
sponsors public housingprojects that are partially funded by its gulf neighbours.
Housing
Bahrain’s constitution requires the government to help provide housing for any
citizens unable to obtain adequate shelter through their own resources. Nearly
three-fifths of all Bahrainis have benefited from government housing assistance in
some way, and the government has likewise expended significant resources in recent
decades to develop associated infrastructure. In 2001 the government inaugurated a
new program to extend housing assistance to rural towns and villages.
Education
Bahrain’s public education system, founded in 1932, is the oldest in the Arabian
Peninsula. Public education is free for both boys and girls at the primary,
intermediate, and secondary levels and is mandatory for all children aged 6 to 14.
Private and religious schools are available as well. The University of Bahrain, Arabian
Gulf University, and the College of Health Sciences are institutions of higher learning.
The vast majority of the population is literate, and Bahrain has the highest female
literacy rate in the Persian Gulf.

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Notable People
 Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa : King
 Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa : Former Emir
 Khalifa ibn Salman Al Khalifa : Prince, Prime Minister
 Abu-Tahir Al-Jannabi : Former Ruler
 Ali Abdulemam : Blogger, Founder-Bahrain Online
 Majeed Al Alawi : Politician
 Jawad Al Arrayed : Politician
 Al-Ala'a Al-Hadrami : Envoy sent by Prophet Muhammad
 Ayat Al-Qurmezi : Poet, Activist
 Mohamed Ali Al-Shaaban : Radio, Television Personality
 Mahmood Al-Yousif : Blogger (The Blogfather)
 Nazar Al Baharna : Politician
 Hamad Al Fardan : Race Car Driver
 Ala Ghawas : Singer, Songwriter
 Mohammad Haddad : Composer, Music Critic

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 Nada Haffadh : Country’s First female Cabinet Minister
 A'ala Hubail : Footballer
 Mohamed Hubail : Footballer
 Isaac of Nineveh : Bishop, Theologian
 Ali Al Jallawi : Poet, Researcher, Writer
 Abdul Amir al-Jamri : Spiritual Leader
 Mohammed Hasan Kamaluddin : Politician, Historian
 Abdulhadi Khalaf : Political Activist
 Majeed Marhoon : Musician
 Hasan Mushaima : Opposition Leader
 Isa Qassim : Religious Leader
 Nabeel Rajab : Human Rights Defender
 Ali Salman : Politician
 Zayd iben Suhan : Companion of Muhammed

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Photo Gallery
Bahrain largest city Manama Skyline

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Bibliography
Website:
 https://bahrainedb.com/
 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ba.html
 https://www.britannica.com/place/Bahrain
 http://www.imuna.org/resources/country-profiles/bahrain
 https://www.infoplease.com/world/countries/bahrain
 https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/bahrain.htm
 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14540571
 https://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/country-profiles/1475/bahrain-
country-profile-facts
 https://nelsoncarvalheiro.com/why-bahrain-is-the-coolest-arab-country-to-
visit/
 https://www.indexmundi.com/bahrain/

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Magazines:
 Gulf Insider
 BizBaharain
 FACT Bahrain
 SHOUT
 GAZ
Books:
 Bahrain through the ages the History
 My Beautiful Bahrain

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